A Year of Winter

Winter is a time of hibernation for those of us up north. Coming from the west coast where you can garden year round and moving to the thick of the Rocky Mountains is definitely life changing. It takes time to integrate, to find the flow and navigate the trials and tribulations that accompany such a move, both physically and mentally. My "winter hibernation" lasted all year in 2023.

After participating at the Spring Wellness Expo in Boise last March, I completely shut down. It's funny how our overactive brains process experiences... We had a wonderful and very successful weekend at that expo but I still came home with feelings of self doubt and identity insecurity. Impostor syndrome is a real thing... it's always been background noise for me and after that amazing weekend of connection and the most sales I've ever had, I still questioned my validity. I never even unpacked from the expo and all those empty questions led to a mild depression that just kind of consumed the entire year.

So what's pulled me out of my funk? My middle child and oldest daughter June! She's like, "Mama, you have all this product and market season is coming and you're so knowledgable and creative and I want to help!" She is my intro/extroverted child (if you know you know) and I was really surprised that she wanted to get involved. How do you say no when your child is pushing you to put in the work to make your dreams a reality?? You don't! You work and you work hard and you accept some things and you change the ones you can't and push and you move and work, work, work! And guess what? From the Root Herbals is making a heck of a comeback! We've installed a hoop house with the hope of starting our seeds earlier although regulating the temperature in there has been challenging. I have new herbal products in the works, new creams and tinctures and a Herbal First Aid Kit! I am most excited for these because June is crocheting all the pouches for them and they are amazing! We are signed up to have a space at the Libby Vendor's Market on Friday afternoons starting May 10th and I plan to be at the Farmer's Market in Trout Creek on Wednesdays and possibly the Thompson Falls Farmer's Market on Thursdays. I'm putting my best foot forward with our marketing (with June's help) to make sure everyone stays in the loop.

Do I still have moments where I question everything? Absolutely but I no longer allow them to consume me. Instead, I use those moments of uncertainty to dive deeper into research and self reflection. I stay true to myself, I allow the moments and then I dismiss them. I ask for help and I pray for guidance and clarity and I spend time in nature. After all, it is nature, the great work of the Creator, that has lead me to do what I do. When all else fails, I spend some time in the forest and am almost always renewed.

So cheers to this new year, cheers to spring and all that it brings! I definitely welcome the sunshine and the busyness of what lies ahead. Huzzah for overcoming the mindless chatter of our ego that plagues us the most. May we continue to push forward and persevere on our path to prosperity! If you're local, come to a market and say hello! And to my loveys that live afar, drop me a line and let me know how you are. I miss you more than you know.

S